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Sydney FC steps up recruitment drive as Milos Dimitrijevic exits

Sydney FC have two visa spots and extra salary-cap cash to play with after news Milos Dimitrijevic has left the A-League champions.

The Serbian midfielder has agreed to a mutual termination of his contract in the hope he might get more game time in Europe, where he can also be closer to family.

Dimitrijevic has been a Sky Blues stalwart since joining in January 2014, taking a clean sweep of club awards after a stellar 2014-15 season helping Graham Arnold's side to the Grand Final.

Despite a dip in form in 2015-16, the 33-year-old netted a last-minute winner against Asian Champions League opponents Guangzhou Evergrande to help Sydney reach the tournament's last 16 for the first time.

Dimitrijevic's quality returned last season yet he was unable to properly utilise it over nine starts, more often than not watching from the bench as Brandon O'Neill and Josh Brillante forged a formidable midfield combination.

At his age, the priority is signing somewhere he can play more regularly.

Dimitrijevic expressed his gratitude for a cherished three-and-a-half years, while Arnold hailed him as a model professional.

"Milos has been a phenomenal player during my time at the club and had a marvellous year in my first season," Arnold said.

"He has proven to be a model professional and played a hugely important role for the club in our double win last season despite not perhaps getting the game time he would have liked."

Though Sydney have lost a fine player, they've gained a second import vacancy and significantly more money within the salary cap to spend.

Arnold will no doubt look to fill one of those spots with a right winger to replace departed pair Filip Holosko and Bernie Ibini.

The club are also looking for a second goalkeeper following Danny Vukovic's move to Belgian outfit Racing Genk, given most local stoppers are already employed elsewhere in the league.

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